“Slightly.”
“It’s not a pleasant feeling.” He shrugged. “Well, I guess...”
“Chuck! Is that you?” The voice was a familiar one.
“Dr. Perry!”
Chuck and Arthur began running toward the sound of the voice. A smile erupted on Chuck’s face as he saw the paleontologist step out of the shadows.
“Are you all right, Dr. Perry?”
“Fine, fine.” The doctor’s voice grew concerned. “Pierre? Dr. Dumar? Is he...?”
“He’s fine. We left him with Pete and Denise.”
“Well, that’s wonderful,” Dr. Perry said, his face plainly relieved. “That means the whole party is together again. I’ve got Masterson and Gardel back there in the ferns.”
A wash of disappointment flooded over Chuck. He tried to pinpoint its origin, but he couldn’t. “Oh!” he said simply.
“I’ll get them,” Dr. Perry said.
“Sure.” Chuck nodded glumly in the darkness. “Sure.”
Denise was sitting up when they reached the geologist and Pete. Her face was pale, and there were tired lines stretching from the wings of her nose down to her bloodless lips, hut she managed a weak smile.
Then they found a cave, a simple hole in the face of a sheer jutting cliff, miraculously untouched by the upheaval. They climbed inside like animals seeking shelter from the night. Pete started a fire, mumbling over the loss of their supplies.
“I could use a cup of coffee,” Masterson said.
“There ain’t any,” Pete stated firmly. “There ain’t nothing any more. It’s all gone.”
“I’d still like a cup of coffee.”
Pete sighed in exasperation. “Maybe you didn’t understand me, Mr. Masterson. All our supplies are lost. There ain’t...”
“I know they’re lost,” Masterson snapped. “All the more reason why we should head back for the truck.”
“What!” Arthur asked incredulously.
“I believe I made myself plain and I see no reason why I should repeat myself — to you, of all people.”
“But why on earth should we head back for the truck?” Denise asked.
Masterson’s face flushed. “It must be obvious to everyone by this time that our young guide has no idea whatever of our present whereabouts.”
“That’s a lie!” Chuck said.
“Lie or not, we are still nowhere near the rendezvous site. It seems evident that a mistake has been made. I suggest that we head back to where we found Dr. Perry and Dr. Dumar.”
“Why?” Chuck wanted to know.
“Because I’m certain the rendezvous site is somewhere near there. Once we reach that spot, we can double back to the truck and get the supplies we’ll need for the rest of...”
“That’s downright ridiculous!” Arthur said. “Why, we’re closer to the rendezvous site now than we ever were.”
Masterson got to his feet and moved toward Arthur. “See here...” he started.
“No,” Chuck interrupted. “You see here! I’m about fed up with your half-baked opinions on where we should or shouldn’t go. You may have paid for this little jaunt, but you’re still a guest of the government, and I’m officially in charge of this expedition.”
“Look, Spencer,” Masterson said, “when I need advice from a young pup...”
“I’m not giving advice,” Chuck said, “I’m giving orders. You’re in deep enough as it is, Masterson. I haven’t forgotten it was you who destroyed the force field. That’s a crime, and you’ll pay for it when we get back to our own time.”
“If we get back,” Masterson shot.
“We will get back. I’ve been here before and I know the rendezvous site is near the twin white rocks. In the morning, we’ll head for the rocks. With any sort of luck, we should make it.”
“I’m not so sure about...”
“I think we’ve had enough discussion,” Chuck said, surprised at the sound of his own authority. “I’m tired, and I think the rest of us are, too.”
“We’ll need an early start,” Dr. Perry said softly.
“Then let’s turn in,” Pete said. “I’m anxious to reach those white rocks.”
The morning of the sixth day was a clear one. They stepped out of the cave to be greeted by warm sunlight and glistening greenery. The landscape around them was wet with dew, and the world looked new and shining. It was a wonderful morning.
Except for one thing.
The twin white rocks were gone from the horizon.
Chapter 14
Kidnaped
“They’re gone,” Chuck said. He turned frantically to Dr. Perry. “They’re gone, sir.” His voice fell. “Gone.” Dr. Perry nodded solemnly. “I was afraid of something like this. That upheaval yesterday. It rearranged the topography. Heaven knows where those rocks are now.”
Chuck slumped dejectedly. “What now?” he said. His voice caught, and he felt dangerously close to frustrated tears.
Dr. Perry put his arm around Chuck’s shoulder. “We’ll find a way, Chuck.” He grinned amiably. “There’s always a way.”
Chuck shook his head. “I’m not so sure any more. One thing after another. Almost as if something bigger than we are is trying to keep us here, trying to see that we never get back to our own time.”
“There’s always a way.” Dr. Perry repeated. “Remember that, Chuck. You’re an awfully young man to be carrying such responsibility, but I’m sure the government’s faith in you is not misplaced. We’re still alive and healthy and...”
“Without food, without a map and with no idea of where the rendezvous site is,” Chuck added. “Maybe the government made a mistake.”
“I doubt it,” Dr. Perry said. “I understand they’re pretty careful about whom they choose for important positions.”
Chuck didn’t answer. He kept staring at the horizon line, wishing that the two rocks would suddenly, magically appear.
“Aren’t they?” Dr. Perry persisted. “Isn’t there a special course or something?”
“What?”
“Isn’t there a special...”
“Oh! Yes, yes, there is. Instead of high school. I mean, in addition to high school.” Chuck was suddenly confused in his own mind. And yet he had taken the course, hadn’t he? Why, yes, certainly. “It’s the last two years of high school,” he said. “The junior year is spent in studying the period, and the senior year consists of field trips as Junior Guides. The first three time slips are made under the supervision of a Certified Guide. After that, we’re on our own. Ten slips are all we need to become Certified Guides ourselves. But you see, Dr. Perry...”
“Yes?”
“There’s never any trouble. I mean, on my first four slips, all I had to do was put up the force field and then point out the various animals as they wandered around it. I don’t think the government even anticipates any trouble. Why should there be any? If everything goes all right, it’s as safe as a tour of Radio City.”
“Of course.”
“That’s why I’m confused. I feel as if I’m letting everyone down. I feel like... like a kid. A kid who’s lost his way home.”
Dr. Perry smiled comfortingly. “You are a kid, Chuck.” He paused and added, “But you’ll be a man when this is all over.”
“Sure, if it’s ever over. I keep thinking we’ll be stuck here forever.”
“Somehow, I don’t think so.”
“Well, what are we going to do? The rocks are gone.”
“What would you suggest?”
Chuck spread his hands helplessly. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know. Before the upheaval, with the rocks out there...” He pointed to the distant horizon. “I thought it would be simple. Now, with the rocks gone, I just don’t know.”
“Where did you say the rocks were?”